"India has long been a leading supporter of UN peacekeeping operations, a fact we recognize and applaud," State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell told reporters Tuesday conveying Washington's sympathies to the families and friends of those killed and injured and the Government of India.

"We condemn in the strongest terms today's attack by unknown assailants on the United Nations Mission in South Sudan convoy carrying peacekeepers and civilians in the state of Jonglei, which resulted in the deaths of five Indian soldiers and at least seven civilians and injuries to several more UNMISS (United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan) personnel," he said.